Trijicon is one of the more popular brands of high tech weapon sights in the world. They have a ton of awesome scopes, each with a different set of intended purposes. While this is great, it also means you have to know what you want when buying a Trijicon Rifle Scope. Two of their best scope lines are the ACOG and Accupoint. These scopes share a lot of similarities, but they’re also distinct so think about your objective when selecting the Trijicon Scope for you.

The first difference you’ll notice between these two types of scopes is the magnification power. In general, Accupoint Rifle Scopes are higher-powered than ACOGs, and their magnification power is variable. If you look at the models available on OpticsPlanet, you’ll see the lowest power setting can be anywhere from 1x to 5x, while at highest magnification you get from 4x to 20x, dependent on which scope you choose. The 1-4×24 Accupoint Rifle Scope is the closest to being an ACOG, but the others are very different and give you a different set of options in the field. At 20x magnification you can hit a target from a whole heck of a lot further away than with a 4x magnification, so whether you’re on the battlefield or out hunting and need to take a shot from 200 yards, you’re going to have a much easier time consistently hitting your target with an Accupoint Scope.

The Trijicon ACOG also has easy to use Flip Covers that Open and Close easily

But there’s a reason ACOGs are lower power. Red Dot Sights are very popular today (in fact, there are some terrific Trijicon Red Dots) because of their fast target acquisition and ease of use. ACOGs are very similar but still provide a degree of magnification so you’re more accurate in the field. The ACOG is very much so a tactical rifle scope (in fact, ACOG stands for Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight). When a soldier is clearing a building they need to be able to keep both eyes open so they don’t lose any of their peripheral vision. This greatly improves their effectiveness in the field. While the ACOG isn’t really a long-distance scope, it gives you enough magnification to hit targets from a good distance while still being effective at closer ranges. These scopes are also generally fixed-power, so there’s less to adjust when you’re in the field. An ACOG is ready to go for any close to medium range shot at a moment’s notice. If you’re using an Accupoint with the power set to 20x and something pops up 15 yards away, you’ll have a hard time taking a good shot because you’ll be too zoomed in. Those seconds turning down the power could make a huge difference. With an ACOG this is never a problem.

So what are you doing? Are you in tight spaces with lots of hiding spots that someone could pop out of, or in a wide open field with deer off in the distance? In tight spaces make sure you have an ACOG. In an open area use an Accupoint.

The nice thing about these two scope types is that they share a lot of great features that make both exceptional for many situations. First, both employ a combination of fiber optics and tritium-phosphor to illuminate the reticle. There’s no battery to fail you at an inopportune time. That’s huge and makes these very well-trusted in combat situations. The illumination is also optimal for the conditions, so in bright daylight it’ll light up a lot more than in the dark. If you have too bright a reticle in the dark you won’t be able to see past it to find your target. The reticle needs to be very dim in the dark so as to not obscure your vision. Fiber optics collect ambient light so they’re always at the optimal brightness, and in the event that there’s no light available the tritium-phosphor lamp will provide plenty of light for years.

Both scope styles are also very tough, though I’d give the edge in toughness to the ACOG. Those are some seriously durable scopes, as they’re internally adjustable and have fewer moving parts than other scopes. The less parts that move; the less chance something breaks down. Accupoint Scopes are still tough, but in my opinion they don’t quite compete with ACOGs.

Take some time to consider your needs before buying a rifle scope. There are a lot of factors to consider, but having an illuminated reticle, toughness and the proper magnification will help you hit your target quickly and consistently.

4 Responses to ACOG vs. Accupoint: Which Trijicon Rifle Scope is Right for You?

Ok what is new Surefire has been making replacement forearms with lights for year for both Remington and Mossberg, problem is the cost low in being 300.00. You can get a replacement forearm with a rail and attach a 1 inch mount with a tac light a do the same thing. I set up 3 shotguns for what one would cost if I did a surefire replacement forearm.

That’s a great idea, and one we hope SureFire looks into as well! I will say this particular light is so ergonomic that an additional rail might make it too bulky, but there does seem to be room on the end for a rail. Maybe next years model will have further customization options.

This particular model and the intuitive and ergonomic design is what’s really new with the SureFire Mossberg Forend light. You certainly can buy a regular replacement forearm with a rail, but the great design on this light makes it much easier to turn on without changing your grip.